In the same year as it was formed, the ensemble became the
Resident Trio of the Petrof Piano Company. Since 2011 they have been the
Resident Trio at the International Chamber Music Course in Zábřeh na Moravě in
the Czech Republic.
The Trio gave the world premiere of Janáček ́s “Kreutzer ́s
Sonata”, arranged for the Trio by the leading Czech musicologist, Miloš
Štědroňat, at the international music festival in Kroměříž in September 2014.
Following the Trio’s
last CD release for Nimbus Alliance www.wyastone.co.uk/all-labels/nimbus/nimbus-alliance.html
, with trios by Mendelssohn, Bruch and
Lalo, they have now released a recording on that label of Beethoven’s ‘Ghost’
Trio and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor coupled with three arrangements of
Mendelssohn: Songs without Words.
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| NI 6288 |
The Petrof Piano Trio
grab the listener’s attention straight away in the Allegro con brio of Beethoven’s
Piano Trio in D minor ‘Ghost’ Op.70, No.1 with playing that is taut, dynamic
and urgent. They are fully alive to every dynamic and nuance.
The Petrof’s lyrical, poetic side, that was glimpsed in the Allegro, is fully revealed in the Largo assai ed espressivo where the Trio
draw much fine expression. There is a beautiful balance between piano and
strings in some exquisitely hushed passages, rising to moments of intense
passion. It is terrific how they slowly build the emotions before easing back.
The Presto brings
a lively dialogue between the players with moments of fine, incisive playing. This
Trio show some terrific ensemble before the decisive coda.
This is a particularly fine ‘Ghost’ Trio displaying layers
of emotion often not revealed.
With the Pezzo elegiac
of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A
minor, Op.50 the Petrof’s open beautifully with a broad, rolling sweep
before the lovely main theme emerges. There is a lovely building in dynamics with
all of Tchaikovsky’s intricate writing showing through. The music rises in
great passion with these players drawing out the many moods. Centrally there is
an exquisite section as the main theme is slowly, gently and passionately revealed
in its lovely variation, quite beautifully played before rising to a direct and
passionate sequence, beautifully controlled as it falls back to the lovely
coda.
There is a gloriously played opening to the Tema con Variazioni from Martina
Schulmeisterová, beautifully phrased and poised before the gently rolling theme
appears and is taken through its twelve variations. There are some lovely passages
from string players, Jan Schulmeister and Kamil Žvak, often full of intense
emotion and really bringing the music alive. In the rhythmic sections these
players provide some fine playing, responding so well to each other. As we are
led into the Variazioni Finale e Coda
these players really throw themselves into the fast and furious passages,
bringing joy before slowing for the massive coda where they bring great power
to the restated theme before the quiet coda.
The Petrof Piano Trio conclude this recording with three
arrangements of Mendelssohn: Songs
without Words by Jakub Kowalewski (b.1977), acting as attractive encores. There
is a lovely rocking motion to the attractive arrangement Allegro con anima, op.62 No. 4 with opening and closing pizzicato
strings, a simple yet attractive arrangement of Un poco agitato, ma andante, Op.101 No.4 with the strings taking
the melody and the well known Andante con
moto, Op.19 No.1 with the violin and cello sharing the melody over a piano
accompaniment with a lovely sweep and flow.
This is as fine a collection of piano trio performances you
could wish for. The recording from the Sound Studio HAMU, Prague is first rate
and there are informative notes from the trio’s violinist Jan Schulmeister.
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